MotoGP Misano 2015 Results – San Marino Grand Prix Recap

MotoGP Misano 2015 Results from San Marino GP

Honda’s Marc Marquez

Just six miles from Valentino Rossi’s hometown of Tavullia in Italy, the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli hosted Sunday round 13 of 18 in the 2015 MotoGP Championship. Rossi entered Misano with a 12-point lead over his Movistar Yamaha MotoGP teammate Jorge Lorenzo, and was hoping for a repeat performance of last season’s Misano MotoGP when he beat Lorenzo to the line.

Riders experienced dry conditions during practice and qualifying at the resurfaced 2.63-mile circuit containing 16 turns, and no rain was predicted for the race. Lorenzo capitalized on these conditions, dominating free practice and earning a record pole at the technical Misano MotoGP circuit.

But after the first lap of 28, the white flag was waved, meaning some rain was falling and riders could switch to their rain prototypes. By lap six, the rain flag was out, and the race came down to pure strategy and rider talent.

There’s no denying the 36-year-old Rossi’s talent in the rain, especially after his performance two weeks ago at Silverstone where he dominated the British Grand Prix. Now he had rain, and a roaring home crowd donning florescent yellow VR46 apparel. But after going from dry setup to wet setup and back to dry setup, Rossi’s timing was a bit off, and he wouldn’t earn the win.

Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi

Luckily for him, neither would Lorenzo. The two-time MotoGP Champion of Spain was in position to earn a sixth win of 2015, but suffered a nasty crash at turn 15. He was unable to remount, and suffered his first DNF of 2015 MotoGP.

The winner? Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez, who claimed victory number four of the season. This was his first MotoGP win at Misano, and the 23rd of his short MotoGP career as he chases a third-straight title.

Joining Marquez on the podium were two non-factory British riders, each also making wise decisions regarding bike setup – Monster Energy Yamaha’s Bradley Smith and Marc VDS Racing’s Scott Redding.

As for Rossi, he finished fifth, bringing his 16-consecutive podium finishes to an end. Regardless, he was able to extend his lead in the point standings from 12 to 23 over Lorenzo with five rounds remaining.

MotoGP Misano 2015 Results – Recap

Starting from pole, Lorenzo got to turn one first, followed by Marquez, Rossi, Smith, Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa, Ducati Team’s Andrea Iannone and Team ECSTAR Suzuki’s Aleix Espargaro. By mid lap, Smith dropped back to sixth behind Iannone. Lorenzo was stalked closely by Marquez, as Pedrosa put much pressure on Rossi. At the start of lap two the white flag came out, meaning riders were able to pit and switch to their rain bikes.

With 22 laps to go, all the riders but the top three – Lorenzo, Marquez and Rossi, respectively – began switching to their rain setups. The three leaders remained out for one more lap before jumping on their prototypes shod with Bridgestone rain tires.

Marquez came out strong with 20 laps to go, leading Lorenzo and Rossi. But the 22-year-old Spaniard ran wide at turn eight, giving the lead to Lorenzo. Behind the lead group, Pramac Racing Ducati’s Yonny Hernandez lost the front at the quick turn six, taking out E-Motion IodaRacing Team ART’s Alex de Angelis during the crash.

At the halfway point, Marquez passed Lorenzo at turn 10, but Lorenzo quickly countered, regaining first. Rossi aslo assed Marquez for second place. All riders were going in for slick tires, but Lorenzo, Rossi and Marquez remained out. With a dry line exposed, the rain tires were shredding quickly.

Yamaha’s Bradley Smith

Now it came down to pure strategy. Marquez was the first to pit with 10 laps remaining, getting back on his RC213V with slick Bridgestone tires. Lorenzo pitted on the next lap, giving Marquez the lead. As for Rossi, he remained out for another lap, the nine-time World Champion in the lead but 10 seconds slower than Marquez.

When Rossi finally pitted, the unfortunate – and unusual – happened to Lorenzo. The Spaniard crashed at turn 15, high-siding his Yamaha YZR-M1. Rossi rejoined the grid in fifth, knowing he can run at a comfortable pass because Lorenzo was out.

Out front, Marquez had a substantial lead over Smith, who remained on slicks throughout the entire race and was in a comfortable second place. Forward Racing’s Loris Baz was third, stalked closely by Redding. With four laps to go, Redding took over second from Baz, and immediately began opening a gap.

Marquez wheelied past the checkered flag 7.288 seconds ahead of Smith, with Redding earning his first MotoGP podium 18.793 seconds behind. Baz finished fourth, over 26 seconds off the pace, followed by Rossi.

Rounding out the top 10 were Octo Pramac Racing Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci, who earned his first-ever MotoGP podium with third at Silverstone, Iannone, Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso, Pedrosa and Aleix Espargaro. As for the sole American in all of Grand Prix motorcycle racing, Apsar MotoGP’s Nicky Hayden finished 17th, over a minute off the pace.

Search

Stay Connected

If it has two wheels, Ultimate Motorcycling has the inside scoop. From the latest motorcycle and apparel reviews, to MotoGP results and OEM sales reports, Ultimate Motorcycling covers it all. Our small but passionate staff works endlessly to deliver quality and enjoyable motorcycle content.